Game of Thrones: Why We’re Excited About the Red Viper

Of all the new characters tapped to enter the fray in Season 4 of Game of Thrones, no one has us more excited than the Red Viper of Dorne, Oberyn Martell. What is it about this guy that has us so jazzed about his appearance? Read on to find out!

He hates the Lannisters. After the Red Wedding, the Starks are weaker than ever, leaving everyone’s least-favorite family the Lannisters without a legitimate foe (the Tyrells? Come on). Oberyn hates the Lannisters because he blames them for the murder of his sister Elia and her children during Robert’s Rebellion 17 years ago (Elia was married to Rhaegar Targaryen). He blames Lannister croney Gregor Clegane, AKA the Hound’s brother the Mountain, for carrying out the act, and he blames Tywin Lannister for giving the command. We’re psyched to see Oberyn face off against Tywin and the Mountain, those guys are the worst.

He kicks ass. Game of Thrones is full of tough guys. The Hound, Bronn, and Daario can all seemingly take on armies single-handedly, but Oberyn might be the best fighter of them all. He didn’t get a nickname like the “Red Viper” because he looks good in snake skin shoes, the guy is deadly.

He’s a demon in the sack. Oberyn loves women... and men... and, well, anything that moves basically. It’s this kind of sexual freedom and “if it feels good, do it” attitude that makes Oberyn stand out among the more rigid Westerosi society. Oberyn just does what he wants, and he does it often.